The urge to see her (2)

As soon as they left the office building, Huang Jie bent over and burst into laughter.

It was not an exaggeration. She was really holding onto the handrail of the accessible ramp, clutching her stomach, laughing so hard that she couldn’t stand properly, with tears welling up in the corners of her eyes.

“What a dramatic scene, I can’t believe it. I’ve never laughed so hard in my life,” she said, wiping away a few tears from the corners of her eyes, feeling like her face had frozen from laughing. “Wait a moment, let me laugh some more.”

As the protagonist of this incident, Yue Qianling didn’t feel like laughing that much and was even a bit speechless.

She glanced at her phone, and saw that Yin Xiu was still urging her, so she said, “I have to go. My classmate is still waiting for me.”

Huang Jie waved at her with a smile, and Yue Qianling turned and walked towards the subway station.

The wind was particularly strong today, and the leaves of the plane trees on the roadside were falling. If it weren’t for the festive decorations and colorful lights everywhere, it would have been difficult to suppress the desolate feeling of winter.

Yue Qianling had forgotten to wear a scarf today, and she couldn’t withstand the cold wind blowing into her neck, so she pulled up the hood of her coat.

The hood had a thick, white fur trim that covered most of her face, making her eyes appear especially large.

On her phone, Yin Xue kept sending messages urging her, so Yue Qianling jogged a couple of steps and then hopped down the steps.

Once she stood firmly, she raised her head and saw not far away, Gu Xun and a slightly chubby man walking toward her.

Yue Qianling hesitated in place, unsure whether to go forward and say hello.

Just as she hesitated for a second or two, Gu Xun had already walked past her as if he hadn’t seen her at all.

However, the slightly chubby man walking with Gu Xun turned his head and glanced at Yue Qianling.

After walking a few steps and crossing paths, the slightly chubby man spoke.

“Wow, a beauty.” He tugged at Gu Xun’s sleeve and chuckled, “No wonder they say that Jiangcheng is full of beautiful women. I’ve just arrived, and I’ve already bumped into one.”

Gu Xun didn’t even bother to turn around to see the “beauty” the man was talking about.

“Guo Luo,” he raised his arm and adjusted Luo Tuo’s head, speaking in a cold tone, “Don’t forget that you’re married.”

Luo Tuo felt bored and sighed.

“Just taking a look. Your sister-in-law isn’t only glued to her phone looking at handsome guys all day, she’s now spending money to vote for them.”

Gu Xun didn’t respond. He took Luo Tuo back to the company to pick up his things before heading to the underground parking lot.

Luo Tuo had just landed in Jiangcheng a little over an hour ago, and he had taken the subway to find Gu Xun. He had a busy work schedule recently, and even on New Year’s Day, he couldn’t get a break. So, tonight was the only time they could have dinner together.

They weren’t looking for anything fancy and had no intention of going to the crowded city center. They found a well-reviewed restaurant online and made a reservation.

Not only was this restaurant exquisitely decorated, but it also had an elegant atmosphere and fast service when it came to serving dishes.

Not long after placing their order, several appetizers were already served.

Luo Tuo took a couple of bites of the dishes and asked casually, “Chinese New Year is early this year. When will you go home?”

“I’m not going back,” Gu Xun poured himself a glass of cold water and didn’t touch his chopsticks. “Going back would just lead to arguments with my mother. It’s better to let her have a comfortable year.”

Luo Tuo initially wanted to say a few words to him. After all, parents loved their children. Was there any way to have a comfortable year without seeing each other?

However, considering Gu Xun’s family situation, he didn’t dare to say anything more.

Even though he was almost thirty years old this year, if he were in Gu Xun’s position, he would probably make the same choice.

“Then will you go visit Uncle Lin?” As soon as he finished speaking, Luo Tuo scratched the back of his head, gazing down at the food on the table. “Forget it, you better not go. He’s been doing quite well recently, same as always.”

The phrases “quite well” and “same as always” combined in one sentence seemed strangely ironic. The atmosphere at the table instantly became a little heavier than before.

Luo Tuo didn’t like this kind of silence, so he changed the topic. “By the way, how are you and Xiao Mahua?”

Gu Xun suddenly raised his head, and under the bright lights, his emotions seemed to change abruptly. His eyes shone a bit brighter than before.

“What can I do with her?”

***

Once Yue Qianling got off the subway, she regretted agreeing to meet with Yin Xue in the city center.

The pedestrian street was packed with people, and the shops were crowded. Just looking at it made her head hurt.

For a while, the two of them stood silent in front of the crowd and decided to find a restaurant to have dinner and then go back to school early.

However, the restaurants at this time also had long queues. They had already finished half of their milk tea, and the number had only moved forward by seven or eight places.

Yin Xue started watching a TV series on the side, while Yue Qianling was getting bored, even considering playing a few games.

Coincidentally, just as she was taking out her phone, there was a new message in their gaming group chat.

​【Xiao Mai】: @LuoTuo @SchoolGrass

​【Xiao Mai】: Did you two meet? What did you eat?

Yue Qianling stared at these two sentences for a couple of seconds before realizing that Luo Tuo and Lin Xun were probably celebrating New Year’s together.

Luo Tuo had mentioned it in the game a few days ago, but Yue Qianling hadn’t paid much attention and only remembered it now.

Since that was the case, it seemed there was no chance of playing their game together tonight.

Just as she was about to put down her phone, Luo Tuo suddenly sent a photo in the group chat.

He was probably responding to Xiao Mai’s question, as the photo showed several dishes on the dining table.

However, in this casual photo, there was a hand.

Almost instinctively, Yue Qianling determined that it was Lin Xun’s hand.

The knuckles were distinct, slender ,and well-proportioned, with just the right amount of roughness and delicacy, looking as if they had been 3D modeled in a game.

They said that hands were a person’s second face, and when a hand looked this good, it was impossible not to let your imagination run wild about what the owner of those hands might look like.

Yue Qianling was no exception.

In the bustling shopping mall, she stared at this photo, and her mind involuntarily began to paint a picture of Lin Xun’s appearance.

A few seconds later, she came to a conclusion.

Damn.

He might actually be a campus heartthrob.

***

On the other side,

The conversation between Luo Tuo and Gu Xun didn’t end because of Xiao Mai’s interruption.

After sending the photo to Xiao Mai, Luo Tuo continued, “So, how are things between you and her? Of course, it must be like this and that.”

“…..”

Gu Xun looked at Luo Tuo with some difficulty, then pushed a plate of sweet and sour pork ribs toward him. “Let’s eat, okay?”

“Cut it out.”

Luo Tuo didn’t take Gu Xun’s bait and even put down his chopsticks. He looked at him and grinned. “By the way, do you know where she’s from? She seems to have a southern accent, maybe she’s quite close.”

Gu Xun lowered his head and took a few bites of food without answering Luo Tuo’s question.

After chewing and swallowing, he raised his eyes, looked at Luo Tuo, and said calmly, “She’s from Jiangcheng.”

“Jiangcheng? The same Jiangcheng I’m in right now?”

Luo Tuo was stunned for a moment, and after seeing Gu Xun’s affirmative gaze, he suddenly slapped the table. “Why don’t you ask her out then?”

Gu Xun was getting annoyed, and his tone became a bit impatient. “Why would I ask her out?”

But Luo Tuo didn’t care about his little mood.

“Because you like her.”

“……”

Gu Xun’s chopsticks stopped moving, and after a moment, he stared at Luo Tuo intently, but his tone became somewhat casual.

“Which eye of yours saw that I like her?”

Luo Tuo raised two fingers and gestured toward his eyes.

“Both of my eyes saw it.”

Gu Xun didn’t want to continue the conversation with him and picked up his cup to take a sip of water.

“Don’t pretend with me. We grew up together, how can I not understand you? I’ve never seen you pay so much attention to any girl before. If it weren’t for her, would you be playing that mobile game you hate so much all day long?” Luo Tuo squinted and smiled. “You like her but dare not admit it. Are you a coward or not?”

After saying that, without waiting for Gu Xun’s response, Luo Tuo’s expression suddenly changed, and he patted his own chin.

“Oh, right, she has a crush on someone.”

Gu Xun put down his cup, the cool water slid down his throat, and his Adam’s apple rolled twice. He glanced at the side, his eyes lacked focus, and his brows were furrowed, clearly showing some displeasure.

“A secret crush is nothing.”

This tone…

Luo Tuo burst into laughter.

“I think you look a lot like someone with a secret crush.”

Gu Xun smirked, his expression ambiguous.

Whether Gu Xun admitted it or not, it wouldn’t change Luo Tuo’s opinion.

When he was a child, the Lin family would have small arguments every three days and big arguments every five days. Gu Xun had learned the skill of indifference from a young age. Even if his parents argued loudly, throwing pots and pans, he could calmly play games in his room.

Most of the time, his parents didn’t argue openly, but their words were always laced with sarcasm and hidden barbs. They would take jabs at each other, which outsiders would find uncomfortable to listen to, not to mention Gu Xun, who was always caught in the middle.

So, he spent more time at Luo Tuo and Xiao Mai’s homes than he did at his own, and if there wasn’t anything special going on, he practically spent all his nights at Xiao Mai’s house.

Relatively speaking, Luo Tuo believed he understood Gu Xun very well.

Gu Xun had always been impatient with people and disliked dealing with those who spoke in riddles, whether they were male or female.

He didn’t have many friends either. Since childhood, there was always a constant stream of girls approaching him, but they quickly receded like a tide.

However, Xiao Mahua was a bit different.

She seemed to be very simple-minded. When playing games, she was always the first to charge ahead and was always boasting when they won. She would demand another round when they lost and wouldn’t go to sleep unless she got MVP.

And most importantly, she had a beautiful voice.

At first, Luo Tuo thought this girl was a little funny, and both he and Xiao Mai enjoyed playing games with her, and Gu Xun didn’t seem to mind.

However, these past few days, he looked back and realized he had missed a lot of details.

If he tried to list them all, it would probably take hours.

“In this day and age, online dating is pretty normal,” Luo Tuo thought for a moment and said with a smile, “How about we invite Xiao Mahua out for dinner? We’re in the same city now, so this is a great opportunity.”

After he said this, he stared at Gu Xun.

However, not only Gu Xun didn’t object, but he also nodded and took out his phone.

“Sure, but I have to tell my sister-in-law that you came to Jiangcheng to meet a girl you met online.”

Camel: “…You are sick!”

Just then, Luo Tuo’s phone vibrated twice. He thought Gu Xun had really gone to tattle on him, so he quickly grabbed his phone.

Oh, it was Xiao Mai again.

​【Xiao Mai】: How was your meal?

​【Xiao Mai】: Want to play games tonight?

The two grown men, Luo Tuo and Gu Xun, had no other plans for the evening. After eating, they were going to Gu Xun’s house. Of course, to play games.

​【Luo Tuo】: We can, but how about asking Xiao Mahua?

After sending this message, Luo Tuo glanced at Gu Xun with a mischievous look and then typed another message.

​【Luo Tuo】: It’s such a beautiful day, what if she has a date?

​【Xiao Mai】: @StickyRiceLittleWheat, what about you? Do you have time to play games?

There was no immediate response from the other side.

A few minutes later.

​【Glutinous Rice Twist】: What do you think?

​【Glutinous Rice Twist】: [Image]

Luo Tuo and Gu Xun opened the photo at the same time.

She was holding a cup of milk tea and took this picture facing the long queue outside the restaurant.

The message was quite clear—she was having fun outside and didn’t have time.

But Gu Xun’s attention was drawn to the hand holding the milk tea.

Delicate fingers, flawless and fair, neatly trimmed nails with no flashy nail art.

Even the small section of her wrist that was visible seemed like jade, emitting a faint glow under the mall’s lighting.

It was just a beautiful hand, yet it inexplicably touched a nerve in Gu Xun.

The person on the other end of the network, separated by a distance, seemed to become tangible—a vivid and concrete person living in the same city as him.

He stared at the photo, his expression giving nothing away, but countless nerve endings were trembling uncontrollably, stimulating a strong impulse.

The urge to see her.